Foxtrot Charlie

This café in Brunswick, in northern Melbourne, had been in the same family for more than half a century, but had fallen on hard times when the younger generation decided to take things in hand and give it a new lease of life. Now part of the Foxtrot Charlie group, the coffee shop has been regenerated much like the greater neighbourhood as a whole, with a fresh new look from interiors people ZWEI.

Fresh is the key word when it comes to cuisine too – the organic roaster/café goes in large on catering for vegans and food allergy-sufferers alike, and deals in all that wholesome health-some stuff that Melbourne does so well. Raw superfood, savoury tarts, ricotta fritters, pastas and ragu… it’s a mixed bag of nicely presented grub with the focus fixed firmly upon quality and natural virtuousness.

The design calls on elements and materials from the area’s heritage. The defunct local brickworks, for example, are alluded to in the recycled brick oven surround, and the owner’s metalwork business is represented, too. A timber cladding on the wall and ceiling references the angular intersections outside, and they are echoed in the pendant lights that are suspended beneath. The building’s original timber-truss ceiling has been preserved and acts as one of the design focal points. Café is really a collective term for a few different spaces – there’s a café proper at the front, plus a kitchen and gallery seating area, and an upstairs bar.

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